From July 22 to 24, 2025, the ECOWAS Commission held a national capacity-building workshop in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The event was organized by the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DAHS) in collaboration with other directorates, agencies, the Ministry of Women, Family and Social Solidarity of Guinea-Bissau, and the ECOWAS Women, Peace and Security Regional Steering Group (WPS-RSG). The focus was on training stakeholders in applying the African Union’s Continental Results Framework (CRC-UA), which has been adapted for West Africa by ECOWAS to monitor and report on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.
The workshop is part of ECOWAS’s broader efforts to improve national accountability mechanisms and data systems supporting United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions. This work is supported technically and financially by the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project (EPSG), which receives funding from both the European Union and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Implementation support comes from GIZ.
In her opening remarks, Maria Inácia Có Mendes Sanhá, Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, stated: “Guinea-Bissau’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in peace-building processes.” She highlighted government backing for the WPS Agenda through policies such as the National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity (PNIEG), the Parity Law, as well as laws addressing gender-based violence and human trafficking.
Cristina da Silva Pedreira, Director General of Regional Integration at Guinea-Bissau’s Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration said: “the workshop offered a platform for adapting continental frameworks to the local level and strengthening the role of women in sustainable development and peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau.” She reaffirmed her ministry’s support for integrating ECOWAS processes into national institutions.
Representing Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, Dr. Aishatu Morido Yanet praised participants’ collaborative approach: “She stressed that the CRC is not just a technical tool but an essential accountability mechanism ensuring visibility and impact of women’s contributions to peacebuilding.”
On behalf of Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe at ECOWAS DAHS, Olatunde Olayemi emphasized: “Women and girls must be visible actors in peace and governance,” noting that this was ECOWAS’s ninth such workshop following similar events across several West African countries. He added that simplifying CRC tools supports evidence-based monitoring of WPS commitments.
Carsten Wille from Germany’s Embassy reiterated his country’s support: “We are proud to support national actors through the EPSG project. Guinea-Bissau’s adherence to this CRC training demonstrates its willingness to strengthen its institutional response to the gender dimensions of peace and security.”
The workshop was led by Tamwakat Elizabeth Golit from EPSG at ECOWAS Commission along with Edineusa Lopes José da Cruz Figueiredo from Institute for Women and Children. Over 35 participants attended from ministries, security institutions, civil society organizations, academia, and media. Activities included group work aimed at building skills in using CRC tools for improved tracking of WPS indicators within national frameworks.
At closing ceremonies five gender assessment reports were presented officially to both ECOWAS Resident Representative Office in Guinea-Bissau as well as its National Office. Ms. Golit summarized findings while stressing transparency: she noted these reports are now available via the official ECOWAS website as resources for advocacy or research purposes.
Participants described this initiative as timely; they called for further training opportunities plus greater integration between stakeholders using simplified CRC tools during future reporting cycles on WPS progress.
The event ended with calls for moving beyond political declarations toward measurable impacts benefitting women across Guinea-Bissau—and West Africa more broadly.